Brussels update on mandatory deposits on packaging

28 September 2010


The European Commission’s attention has turned to the feasibility of a European deposit refund system for metal beverage cans, at the request of the Danish MEP.

A study will look at issues related to the environmental, economic, social and administrative burdens and consider impacts on the internal market due to the presence of different national systems.

For example, a Danish retail group with supermarkets in Northern Germany allows Danes to shop across the border and avoid the high Danish alcohol tax. Such cross-border trade also exists between Sweden and Denmark.

According to EUROPEN (European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment), the long-held view of its members is that properly functioning packaging waste recovery systems render mandatory deposits on specific types of beverage packaging unnecessary because ‘they hinder environmental and financial efficiency’.

EUROPEN reports that the Swiss environment authority BAFU has shown that well sited recycling bins can achieve high recycling rates for drinks containers. In 2009 PET, aluminium and glass all exceeded the set targets for recycling. At the end 2009 there were over 29,000 PET collection containers in Switzerland, or four per 1,000 inhabitants.




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